Job Announcement: Development Director

The Eno River Association is a private, non-profit conservation organization founded in 1966 whose mission is to conserve and protect the natural, cultural, and historical resources of the Eno River basin. We pursue our mission through a variety of program areas including land conservation, advocacy, environmental education, and the Festival for the Eno. Our efforts to date have resulted in over 7,000 acres of protected lands. The Association is a conservation leader in Durham and Orange Counties, and is a member of the Land Trust Alliance as well as the North Carolina Land Trust Council and the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative. The Eno River Association was accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2010 and 2016.

Position Description:

The Development Director is responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive development plan to increase and sustain individual, foundation, and corporate contributions to the Eno River Association. The position is also responsible for coordinating with other staff to create and ensure donor-centric messaging through all external online and print communications.

The new Development Director will be directly responsible for raising $275,000 or more towards the organization’s annual budget by personally soliciting individual gifts of $1,000 and above, implementing 4-6 direct mail campaigns a year, recruiting business sponsors for the annual Festival for the Eno, and writing grants for programs and general operations. This position coordinates and is supported by a part-time Development and Communications Associate. Together, the Director and Associate will advance priorities outlined in a fundraising assessment completed by Third Space Studios in 2015. These priorities include increasing average individual gifts, average major gifts, and retention rates, and building on existing efforts to integrate the organization’s constituent information management systems to improve donor data capture and communications.

The person in this position should continually be searching for other new sources of income. The ideal candidate will take a strategic approach to capturing constituent data from current programs, seeking and researching new individual, corporate, and foundation donor prospects, and moving existing donors towards larger gifts. This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Board of Directors in strategic donor development and philanthropy training.

Fundraising Responsibilities:

Set direction, goals, and drive a consistent multi-faceted fundraising program that supports the organization’s Strategic Plan

Follow fundraising best practices according to the Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards and the Land Trust Alliance Land Trust Standards and Practices

Oversee Festival for the Eno member/donor recruitment and renewal strategies, coordinating with the Festival Director, Conservation Director, and Executive Director

Submit 10-20 foundation grants per year

Collaborate with communications staff to deliver strategic messages for donors and prospects

Work occasional nights and weekends, as well as the 4th of July and adjoining weekend, and the New Year’s Day holiday (required)

Continually develop a culture of fundraising within the organization and across program areas

Assist with organizational marketing and communications, including media outreach

Occasionally serve as spokesperson for the organization

Management Responsibilities:

In conjunction with the Executive Director, develop coordinated work plans for the Development Director and Development and Communications Associate

Manage administrative tasks and special projects as assigned

Work with other Association staff in a team environment to accomplish the goals and mission of the Association

Ensure that fundraising best practices are upheld, that the donor/member database is continually and accurately maintained, that inventories of brochures, envelopes and other campaign collateral are replenished in a timely manner, and that solicitations and acknowledgements are sent on a timely schedule

Training, Skills and Aptitudes Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in communications, marketing, or closely related field

Minimum five years working in a full-time fundraising capacity for a nonprofit organization

Adherence to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards

Record of successful individual donor identification, cultivation and solicitation

Excellent writing and communication skills; able to listen as well as speak, and write in a clear effective manner to a unique audience

Experience securing leadership gifts of $1,000 or more through direct asks

Knowledge of philanthropy in the Triangle: foundations, corporations and other potential funding opportunities

Knowledge of and connection with local business and social communities

Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities

Positive, outgoing personality and supportive management style

Results-oriented self-starter who can work independently as well as part of a team

Background and/or interest in the environment and passion to promote its importance